Antoine Griezmann nets brace as Atletico beat Rayo

Antoine Griezmann inspired Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, keeping Diego Simeone’s side in touch with Liga leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The result means Atleti are now just four points adrift of Real Madrid, who beat Cordoba earlier on Saturday, and three short of Barcelona, who stuck six past Elche in their fixture.

Slack defending from the away side allowed Griezmann clean through on goal twice in the opening 22 minutes, with the Frenchman making no mistake on both occasions, finishing nonchalantly past veteran goalkeeper Tono.

However, Roberto Trashorras halved the deficit for Rayo Vallecano with a measured shot from the edge of the penalty area, but a second half own goal from Manucho made sure of the points for Atletico Madrid.

11’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1 Rayo Vallecano 0: Griezmann dispossesses Ze Castro and then breaks through on goal, finishing calmly into the net. Poor mistake.

20’ - MANUCHO HEADER: That wasn't far away! Aquino gets to the byline and clips a cross to the near post for Manucho to attack. The striker gets there ahead of Moya, but he heads over the target. Close!

22’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2 Rayo Vallecano 0: Atletico grab their second of the night, and so does Griezmann. The Frenchman nips in behind the backline and toe pokes past Tono.

35’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2 Rayo Vallecano 1: Very nice goal and Rayo are back in the game! Trashorras picks his spot from the edge of the box, curling home a finish.

51’ - TONO SAVE: Tono was almost caught out by that one! Griezmann scuffs his cross, sending the ball to the near post, but the veteran Rayo Vallecano keeper scrambles a save when it looked like Rayo might be going 3-1 down.

56’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 3 Rayo Vallecano 1: That's unfortunate on the away side. Manucho is caught in the wrong place and a corner kick bounces in off his midriff.

57’ - GRIEZMANN SHOT: What an opportunity for Atletico Madrid to put this game to bed! Griezmann breaks in behind the opposition defence, but flashes his low shot across the face of the Rayo goal and out for a goal kick.

87’ - WOODWORK: Off the post! Griezmann twists and turns and runs 50 yards into the Rayo Vallecano half, sending a shot towards Tono's goal. But his shot comes smashing off the base of the woodwork!

92’ - TORRES MISS: Griezmann plays Torres clean through on goal, but he takes too long on the ball and Tono can make the save to prevent the striker from round him. That would have been his first Liga goal since his return!

Manucho is the only non-defender player to score two or more own goals in the last three La Liga seasons.

Fernando Torres has improved but is still lacks true cutting edge - The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker looks at home at the Vicente Calderon. There is an audible anticipation from the home fans whenever Torres touches the ball, and that belief from the stands and Simeone has seen the striker return to something nearing his best form. But Torres must be more clinical in front of goal if he is to displace Mandzukic as Atletico’s first-choice striker, as shown by the clearcut opportunity he passed up in stoppage time.

Antoine Griezmann (Atleti) - He might have started the season somewhat slowly, but Griezmann has found his groove at Atletico Madrid. Rayo Vallecano struggled to cope with the French international’s pace and drive, breaking in behind the opposition backline almost at will. He has added a final product to his play over the past two months or so, taking his tally for the season to 11.

Atletico Madrid: Moya 5, Juanfran 6, Miranda 6, Gimenez 6, Siquiera 6, Suarez 6, Tiago 6, Gabi 5, Griezmann 9, Turan 5, Mandzukic 6. Subs - Torres 5, Garcia.

Rayo Vallecano: Tono 7, Morcillo 5, Ba 6, Ze Castro 6, Fatau 5, Trashorras 8, Kakuta 5, Baena 6, Aquino 6, Jozabed 5, Manucho 6. Subs - Alex 5, Bueno 5, Moreno.